With her errands dealt with, Emonael found herself torn on what she should do. There were so many people in the area, so many temptations . . . but there was only one of her, so that meant picking and choosing carefully. Andrew and Nia were talking to a mage from the Association, a man who Emonael knew from experience had some of the most outlandish, unbelievable tales that he loved sharing, but the others weren’t in immediate sight.
“Emonael?” Damiya’s voice came from the demon’s left, almost startling her, and Emonael turned quickly, blinking as she found her friend standing nearby, alone and looking slightly nervous.
“Damiya? Where’d Christoff get off to? I thought he was going to be staying with you and the others,” Emonael asked, smiling a little more warmly. She suspected that Damiya was about to get over one of her personal hesitations, but she didn’t want to assume it would happen.
“Ah, Leah, the baker’s daughter, wanted some help getting the next batch of buns, and he volunteered to help,” Damiya replied, blushing slightly as she flicked a hair back from her face. “I think she likes him.”
“I see. Well, it’s his own decision. Fortunately, my own errands are done, so if you’d like, I can keep you company,” Emonael offered.
“I’d like that. In fact . . . do you think you might . . . might be willing to dance with me?” Damiya asked, nodding at the festivities around the campfire.
At the request, Emonael simply smiled and nodded, taking a step forward and looking her friend in the eyes as she purred. “I’d be delighted, Damiya.”
Chapter 18
“Congratulations to all of you once more. You all managed to finish the training I had for you before winter set in, which makes me proud. Still, you cut it a bit close, Christoff. Were you slacking off on your practice?” Emonael asked, grinning as her friend flushed and shifted from foot to foot.
“Of course not!” he protested. “I may have started learning before the others did, but I’m not that much farther along, and your training was tough! Controlling mana that precisely is hard.”
Despite the amusement on their faces, the others all nodded and murmured their agreement. Emonael nodded in approval, glad that they’d managed it before it got too cold. As it was, she’d spent quite enough time teaching them the spells to warm themselves and dry themselves off over the past few weeks.
It had been a month since the impromptu festival at Maple Lake, and things had settled down. Nearly two hundred soldiers had joined the garrison to protect the Association, and they’d already run off several more beasts, including a manticore. The other High Magi were finally letting Marin work on her research properly, too, which helped. Emonael hadn’t given her teacher the mug she’d purchased as a gift, as she was waiting for the right moment to do so. Midwinter felt appropriate, as she had no idea when Marin’s name-day might be.
“So, since we have all passed that particular test, what’re you going to teach us next?” Nia asked, looking animated as she sat forward in her chair eagerly. In the end, Uthar had been the first to manage to walk on the water and cast a spell at the same time, and Nia had barely managed to beat Andrew for being the second to manage it, which had seemed to just add to her motivation. The more the pair chose to compete, the better they tended to do, so Emonael wasn’t going to interfere.
“Fortunately for all of us, Marin finished the second volume of her research two weeks ago, and I’ve had time to copy the volumes for the other High Magi and for us to use as well. She’s now working on the third, which will finish what she considers ‘the basics.’” Emonael explained, and gave a wry smile as all of them looked at her in disbelief.
“Emonael . . . just what does she consider the basics to be?” Damiya asked, staring. “I originally thought that the parts we finished, the gestures and pronunciations, were the basics.”
“I must admit I agree with her. What we’re learning is fascinating, and I’m happy to do it, but I do wish I had a better idea of where we’re going,” Uthar added.
“That’s entirely fair. Does everyone else agree?” Emonael asked, looking at the remaining three.
“It helps me when I know what to anticipate.” Andrew said, Christoff and Nia indicating their own agreement. “Without directions, it makes it hard to figure out what the use of something might be. You’ve been good about it so far, but an outline would help.”
“As you like. First, volume two of Marin’s Codex is going to address a multitude of common spells of the elements of fire, earth, and water, as well as how to modify them. Volume three will do the same for air, darkness, and light,” Emonael told them, smiling as she continued. “The reason she considers these ‘the basics’ is that they’re to teach you not only how to cast a spell properly, but also how to modify the vast majority of spells in many ways to suit your purposes. If you want a smoke cloud, it’s important not to accidentally set everything on fire at the same time, as both are part of most elements of fire spells. Conversely, if you want a freezing fog, you don’t want to accidentally make a cloud of smoke. That’s what the first three books address.
“The remainder of the volumes I have to be somewhat vague in speaking of, simply because I don’t know all of the content that will go into them, and I have oaths not to share too much about them.” Emonael paused, weighing her words before continuing. “The advanced topics that Marin intends to cover are intriguing, including ritual casting that allows multiple magi to assist each other with spells, how to create spells without using another spell as a basis, and how mana actually works in the world around us. This includes how to reliably use teleportation, and why it works the way it does.
“I know that there are subjects beyond even that, addressing the great magic spells that a few High Magi and Archmagi have managed to cast over the ages, spells that affect a vast area or which are extremely powerful. Alas, I don’t know the details of them, and I doubt that I’ll ever personally teach those concepts to you. That likely will be research you’ll have to do yourselves if you reach those heights of power and skill,” the demon told them, her voice growing sober. “I know a lot of what Marin has researched, yes, but I’ve only gone through perhaps a tenth of her journals, and I’ve only skimmed those. When I met her, she didn’t intend to share any of this until she had it complete. Events forced her hand, so you’re all helping to prove that not only was she correct in her theories, but you’re showing that it’s practical.”
“Oh. I . . . I don’t know what to say,” Damiya replied softly, her eyes huge.
“I do. Thank you for giving me the chance to learn from you, Emonael. And if you would, please thank Marin for changing her mind,” Andrew said, sitting up straight. “While her research may have made a difference in the end, if she hadn’t chosen to do so now, I probably never would’ve gotten a chance at all.”
“I’ll let her know, Andrew. I freely admit that it’s an ambitious project, but she can manage it. It’s also why I’m pushing all of you so hard,” Emonael told them, grinning. “If we’re going to show the world the results of her research, shouldn’t we just leave them in awe of how much you’ve managed? Marin is handing us the keys to limitless growth, to breaking most rules that other magi thought they knew. We’re going to be the first magi who aren’t restricted purely to a single teacher’s form of magic. So think about it, each of you. We’re going to be Marin’s legacy, certainly . . . but what is your legacy going to be?”
At her words, Emonael saw the eyes of her students begin to shine with enthusiasm. A part of her still wanted to keep so much of Marin’s research to herself, but she’d already promised to share it. Besides, Marin’s research was only the beginning.
“What’re you going to teach us today, Emonael?” Andrew asked, leaning forward as he added. “I’m the only human here, so I need to learn as quick as I can!”
“True enough! I actually was going to let the group of you choose an element, and we’d start with that,” Emonael replied, looking them over. “Don’t think you ha
ve to use everything we learn, either. A lot of these will be spells that you might want to note down for use when you happen to need them, or which you might not even bother with again.”
“Earth!” Damiya suggested.
Uthar cleared his throat and asked, “Might I suggest fire? With winter approaching, and after our experience with the lake, I’d appreciate a few spells for keeping the chill away.”
“I agree!” Christoff spoke quickly, shivering slightly at the memory, then paused and asked. “Actually, what’s plant magic considered, Emonael? I just realized that you didn’t address it in the various elements.”
“It depends on the nature of the spell, but many of them are earth, light, or water,” Emonael told him, then looked over the others and asked, “Fire is the winner so far . . . does anyone object?”
When no one did, Emonael smiled and pulled out her copy of the newest volume of Marin’s Codex. “Then let’s begin with a spell to light a candle.”
Chapter 19
Less than a week after Marin penned the first words of her third volume, the first flakes of snow began to fall. The chill in the air was pervasive, and it seemed like it bypassed even the heaviest spells that Marin placed to warm the tower. Only by using healing magic to restore her body to perfect health did she remove the chill, and even then it was only a day or so before the aches returned; yet another sign of her age. A human would’ve been long since dust, Marin knew, and if she aged like a human . . . the mage couldn’t help but shiver, thankful that elves only tended to show extreme age in their final years.
The snow also led to Emonael and her students moving their studies indoors. At first, they’d been working in the Association’s main building, finally named the Grand Hall, to Marin’s amusement. The name seemed a little pretentious to her, but she hadn’t been consulted. In any case, Emonael and the others had quickly run into a problem as other magi and students began to try to eavesdrop on their lessons. Emonael had managed to run them off for a time, but eventually she’d actually asked Marin for permission to move the lessons to the tower. Despite her reluctance to allow still more people into her home, Marin had agreed after a short time, and to her surprise, she actually found that the increased activity in her tower made her feel better.
For the first time since she’d moved into the tower, the only time it was truly silent was when the others had left for the night, or before they arrived for the day. She could practically feel their voices sending vibrations through the stones of the library and the vital energy of the young apprentices as they tried to learn what Emonael had to teach them. It was strange, how warm they made the building feel . . . it made her realize at last just how alone she’d been for so long. How she’d shut everyone out, until Emonael convinced her to open the door just a crack.
The first morning that she’d risen to the sound of clattering dishes in the kitchen had disconcerted Marin, and Nia’s cheery greeting as she worked on the simple breakfast had startled her. Slowly her motivation transformed, if only the slightest amount. To some degree, her research had been progressing off of sheer stubborn determination to prove everyone wrong, Marin knew. Her teacher, who’d cast her out because she was too slow at casting spells. The dozens of magi who’d mocked her skills as she traveled the world, all while being jealous of her talent with healing magic. And most of all, the countless people who’d told her that her research was impossible.
Now, though . . . Marin would occasionally pause at the door of the receiving room they’d annexed, just to listen in and give the occasional piece of advice or context to one of Emonael’s lessons. She never tried to step on Emonael’s toes as their teacher, as Marin knew that wasn’t precisely her place, but neither could she keep herself away. Even more than that, occasionally they’d ask her questions, and with each she answered, Marin felt a bit more of her reticence fade away.
“Midwinter’s approaching, isn’t it? Are we going to do anything special for it?” Nia asked, tilting her head curiously at the others around the dinner table. “Back home, the lord would have the town square cleared and built a huge bonfire, with a roast ox and small tokens for all the residents of the city, which could be used in a drawing for a prize that he’d put together for the festival. Lots of people would do large meals, too.”
“Huh . . . my village did something similar, but mostly just the meals. The elders always set a portion aside for the Lord of Winter, to ask him to speed the winter on its way,” Andrew replied, looking thoughtful.
Christoff laughed, nodding as he added, “That’s exactly what my village did. Is it typical for smaller villages, Uthar?”
“In this region it’s fairly common, yes. To the west, the dwarves have the Festival of Ancestors, when they honor the fallen of the previous year, as well as all the ancestors of those present,” the bard confirmed, smiling. “Almost all the people who I’ve spoken with have some form of midwinter celebration, though they vary wildly.”
“But what about us?” Damiya asked, looking at Nia before Emonael and Marin. “Nia had a point . . . will we be doing anything for Midwinter?”
“Don’t ask me! I joined the Association at the same time as you,” Emonael protested, sitting back from her plate as she shrugged. “I don’t know if we even have any traditions.”
“If there are, I haven’t participated in them in the last few years,” Marin murmured, taking a sip of her wine and smiling at the rest of them. “I probably wouldn’t have been welcome, anyway. I imagine Maple Lake will have one of the usual celebrations, if you wish to participate. But that being said, I see no reason that we couldn’t arrange one of our own . . .”
“That could be interesting . . . I even have a couple of gifts for you that I’ve been saving,” Emonael added, grinning as she added, “Though I don’t think I need anything from you, Teacher. What you’ve taught me is more than enough.”
“Scamp,” Marin told the disguised succubus, shaking her head in amusement. “If we’re going to do something, I’m going to do it properly. Though . . . Emonael, do you happen to know what phase the moon will be in at that point?”
“Not offhand. I could check the charts, if you’d like?” Emonael offered, looking curious.
“Actually, it’ll be the last night of the full moon. I’ve been keeping track of its phases to see if it affected my magic at all,” Damiya interjected.
“Indeed? Then perhaps I have an idea for something I could show all of you. That being said, what’ve you found, Damiya? Does it affect your magic?” Marin asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Not noticeably.” the young woman replied, shaking her head. “I was hoping, but it hasn’t really varied at all.”
“Of course not. That’s not how your personal magic works at all. You draw mana from yourself, so your power is far more closely affected by your physical state than anything else,” Marin told her, nodding slightly, then looked at the others, pausing a moment before she continued. “Would you like to know what magic is affected?”
“Please!” Andrew said, to the nods of the others, while Emonael chuckled softly.
“You’re spoiling them, Teacher,” the succubus teased, but sat back as she continued. “But I’m curious myself, so please, go ahead.”
“Thank you, Emonael, I will,” Marin told her dryly, taking a sip of wine again to wet her throat before she spoke. “Now, I just said your personal magic isn’t affected by the moon, but I’m not saying that it isn’t influenced by your environment. There are six forms of mana of which we’re presently aware of: air, darkness, earth, fire, light, and water. If you’re in an area that’s filled with an abundance of mana of that type, you’ll find that form of magic is more potent, and doesn’t require quite as much precision to manage. Nodes are the most obvious areas like that, but can you guess what other areas might affect your magic in such ways?”
“A volcano for fire?” Christoff suggested, and smiled when Marin nodded.
“Lakes or oceans for water, of course,” Uthar
said, causing Nia to pout slightly.
“A mountaintop for wind?” she quickly asked, her voice hopeful.
“Earth . . . possibly the mountains or underground,” Andrew murmured, then frowned. “Or would underground be darkness?”
“I’m not sure on light, either,” Damiya admitted, frowning.
“Multi-elemental areas are possible,” Emonael told them, looking at Marin as she asked. “Isn’t that right?”
“You’re correct. Light and darkness are the two rarest, with only the most sun-beaten areas of the world being naturally light aligned, and the deeps of the world aligned with darkness,” Marin confirmed.
“Naturally aligned?” Nia practically pounced on the word. “Are their areas that are aligned due to actions?”
“Of course there are. Temples,” Marin explained, and smiled as the others stared at her, looking astounded. “What, did you think that faith doesn’t have an effect on such things? Faith is powerful, and it’s the most reliable source of light and dark mana. Not that the latter is safe to be around, considering the attitudes of most gods of darkness, but that’s another matter entirely.”
“I never thought of it that way. Is that why priests of light are such powerful healers?” Uthar asked.
“Hardly. The gods grant many gifts to their true believers, and what’s more likely to make their worshipers grow than if they grant healing?” Marin brushed off the comment, shaking her head. “They can be quite arrogant at times.”
“Teacher . . . have you met a deity?” Emonael asked, her eyes much wider than they had been.
Marin smiled and shook her head, deliberately changing the subject. “Now, the moon has an effect on ambient mana throughout the world, as does the time of year. The new moon is the symbol of endings and beginnings, so is useful for most spells that create or destroy. Similarly, the waxing moon and spring and summer are good for spells of life and creation, while autumn and winter, along with the waning moon, empower spells of destruction and endings. Mind, all of this only applies if you’re wielding the ambient mana of the world, which means casting spells through rituals.”
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